New research shows how laughter helps the lungs

Laughing could help people with long-term lung conditions feel better and breathe easier, according to a new review. The research, published in ERJ Open Research, showed this could be a promising way to help manage symptoms but more research is needed before it will be recommended by healthcare professionals.

What did the study look at?

The study was a systematic review which means it looks at all the research published on a specific topic to summarise the results. The researchers wanted to look both the physical and mental health effects of laughter for people living with long-term lung conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. 169 people were included in the review, with results taken from 5 studies.

What do the results show?

All studies showed some improvements in mood and a person’s quality of life. There were mixed results when the researchers looked at physical measurements, such as lung function, breathlessness and how well a person could exercise.

Why is this important?

The findings suggest that strategies to help people laugh more could help improve their symptoms and day-to-day quality of life. As the research used a small sample size, these are early findings in this field and more research is needed before doctors could recommend this as an evidence-based way to manage their lung health.

Read the original research paper:  

Title: Unpacking the role of laughter in respiratory health: a systematic review of laughter-based interventions in adults with chronic respiratory diseases